How would you describe it? His voice.... It's avuncular, gentle - a sound that seems to exude that idle lingering quality of a Sunday morning, a tone that conveys implicitly "we have all the time in the world, you and me". It's soothing, reflective. But however you describe it, I think it's safe to say that Stuart McLean has one of the most instantly recognizable voices of any Canadian across this country. And if Dave and Morley are two names with a special meaning for you, then chances are you’re already well acquainted with the folksy charms of Stuart McLean.

From Vancouver Island to St. John’s, Newfoundland, each week roughly a million Canadians tune into CBC Radio to hear Stuart McLean and his program The Vinyl Cafe for its unique blend of humorous short stories, thoughtful heartfelt reflections on Canadian towns and places, and showcasing of home-grown musical talent. But without a doubt the heart of The Vinyl Cafe, and what has won Stuart McLean such a devoted following of readers and listeners - the factor that draws sold out crowds to auditoriums, and theatres in towns right across this country - are the stories that he writes and performs based around that timeless fictional family of four: Dave – the lovable error prone husband and father, his mostly understanding wife Morley and their two children Sam and Stephanie. The stories centred on these four endearing characters and the extended universe in-which they inhabit are at once wistful and humorous. Although there are laughs, the stories are above all marked by a certain gentleness and humanity. The characters in his fictional universe might not always get things right, they may and certainly do at times exasperate each other, but at their core, they’re trying their best and that's what seems to count.

“I was an awkward kid… as maybe we all feel we are. But I felt not quite a part. Like I was an underdog."

Maybe it has to do with that previous point, but there’s also something profoundly and distinctly Canadian about Stuart McLean and The Vinyl Cafe. And not just in the way his stories seem to exude a certain Canadian sensibility - a sensibility that celebrates community, kindness and collective spirit - but also in the way he takes the program on the road, weaving across the vast landscape of Canada to perform close to 100 shows a year - and making a point to visit small, out-of-the-way communities and towns that most tours - especially ones of such impressive draw - would almost never bother stopping in.Through his opening essays, Stuart often reflects on the unique factors and historical winds that shape a locale, and make it what it is. In fact while on tour he and the crew will often come to towns they're recording in a few days in advance in order to get a sense of what distinguishes, what marks, the people and landscape of the community. So whether it’s speaking about the St. Lawrence River in Gananoque or the Laurentian Mountains in rural Quebec, Stuart McLean is able to capture the essence of a place, the tides that shaped it, and put it in the larger context of the Canadian story, in a way that few can.

Stuart McLean Recording at the CBC Studios

The program first came on the air in 1994, but even before The Vinyl Cafe, Stuart McLean already had an impressive pedigree as a storyteller and broadcaster. He had been a frequent contributor to Morningside (you might remember the infamous case of the inspid cricket that left him and Peter Gzowski in fits of laughter) and he also worked for years as a documentary producer for the program Sunday Morning on CBC radio.It’s now been 20 years that The Vinyl Cafe, has been on CBC radio, and each year it seems to only get bigger and more beloved, not bad for a show that's a celebration of things humble and small, or as they say at Dave's Record Store "We may not be big, but we're small." In our conversation Stuart shares the stories of his childhood growing up in Montreal when he felt like an outsider, his struggles as a student, his roundabout beginnings with the CBC, as well reflects on the big feelings he has for this country, and what for him it means to be Canadian.

Congratulations on your fabulous career and thank you for sharing this excellent interview! Morley and poor ol' Dave have been my friends for - gees, fifty years? Having been raised in a large maritime family, your radio shows and live shows (that's me clapping and screaming in the front every chance I get!) take me back to the best of those times.

As a child I heard kids stories with Elwood Glover in the Teddy Bear's Picnic and it just continues with you and your fun loving
stories that make my Sundays peaceful and enjoyable always.

Thank you and Congratulations on your Career that make life the best.

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Debbie Shaw

6/22/2014 09:13:44 am

I have enjoyed listening to your stories for many years and loved the two live shows here we attended here in Belleville. I hope you keep on sharing your wonderful stories for many years to come!

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Betty J Pittman

6/22/2014 09:24:33 am

When I am asked about our Canadian culture you come to mind.... I have loved stories being told since I was a child and mom sat at the top of the stairs and read to the three of us every night.....my dad was a preacher teacher and his stories from the Bible or tear jerking stories that illustrated a particular point in his messages kept me spell bound... Sunday mornings with Michael and then you are my soul enhancing favorite times of the week and I clear my deck to be with both of you..... Thanks so much and congrats on a wonderful career choice....

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Theresa Van

6/22/2014 09:41:55 am

I hate to be a killjoy......there aren't many things I immediately turn off on CBC radio but Vinyl Cafe is one them. I find it super annoying and my hand can't fly to the off button fast enough. The other one is Sook Yin Lee. Same thing. I love CBC but I can't love everything. It wouldn't break my heart if these two shows went the way of the dodo bird. I'm sure I'm in the minority, unfortunately for my ears :)

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John Velazquez

11/22/2016 08:46:12 pm

Theresa Van, I agree with you totally! Those Vinyl Cafe stories just do not seem funny to me. And though I can tolerate Sook Yin Lee, I thoroughly dislike Rita Celli's exaggerated upward intonation at the end of a question. And Anna Maria Tremonti's aggressive line of questioning for conservative topics, and bland congratulatory "questions" on liberal leaning issues. I like Mat Galloway, Gill Deacon, Craig Norris, and my favourite program: Ideas with Michael Enright.

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Tom Cassan

6/22/2014 10:17:26 am

Our Sunday noon ritual......grilled cheese sandwiches and The Vinyl Café. The most Canadian of radio shows and what a Prairie home companion from the US should have been.
Too bad about previous post.....I like Sook Yin Lee. And paul; Kennedy.... And Shelagh Rodgers.

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Bary McKenna

6/22/2014 11:10:25 am

Thank you for many hours of pleasure and laughter while working in the tractor as a farmer and a snow removal person the old sheep farmer

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Paul Wirsta

6/22/2014 08:20:10 pm

Dear Dave..er Stuart

Tried to listen to your clip and I think the link was broken, you should call Morley to get it fixed. :) Love the show, please don't change anything.

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Betty-Lou McBryan

6/23/2014 01:25:56 am

Love reading and listening to Vinyl Cafe stories. Have all the books and most of the CD's. Please don't stop writing. I work in a bookstore and recommend Stuart to everyone.

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Debbie

8/21/2014 09:18:26 am

How I love your stories! I can't really describe the joy and laughter and yes a few tears too. What I love best is if you can't relate to Dave and his family you instantly can recall someone who does. CONGRATS on a great 20 years and especially for stopping to talk to me on Spring Garden Road in Halifax. I will always be a fan. God bless.

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Florida Town

8/21/2014 09:57:26 am

Stuart McLean is a regular passenger in my car - I love listening to the Vinyl Café while driving around, doing errands etc. It's the quintessential Canadian voice, telling stories that are completely Canadian in context and delivery. His characters have become old friends over the years.

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Mark Barnes

8/21/2014 02:36:01 pm

Love listening to Stuart and The Vinyl Cafe. I listened to it religiously every Sunday while living in Smithers & Terrace BC. We then moved to south eastern Saskatchewan 5 years ago and since then unfortunately I rarely catch the show unless I am in the car. It's really strange but I can not get any of our radios to work inside our house. The only thing I can think of is that the house has a metal roof. It sounds to bizarre to be so but believe you me I can think of no other reason. I have however been fortunate to catch him live just down the road in Estevan, SK. I also saw him twice in Terrace BC.

Last month I was on a bus in Nanjing, China with a group of international teachers. I have no idea how it came up, but at one point, I was having a lively conversation with someone about the Vinyl Cafe and how much we were both fans. We shared our favourite stories, our great admiration for Stuart and the fun we had listening and reading to the antics of Dave and Morley. It's a conversation I have had many times in Canada with Canadian friends...but all of a sudden I realized..."hey I'm in China having a conversation with a German professor (who's never been to Canada) who is a bigger CBC Stuart McLean fan than me!" WOW!

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Bill Cunningham

8/22/2014 06:03:30 am

I don't listen to the CBC much, I find the station far too politically 'left' and incredibly biased. It rarely, if ever, presents a balanced view on any subject. . But, I make an exception for the Vinyl Cafe. It has always been the only reason I would ever tune in the CBC. Stewart McLean has that 'Jimmy Stewart' vocal cadence that draws you right into the story and exercises your minds eye in the same way old time radio used to. Keep it up Stewart, your the only thing worth listening to on CBC.

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Jonathan

7/3/2016 11:28:23 am

I'm Canadian and I just have to say I'm actually a embarrassed by Stuart McLeans rendition of The Vinyl Cafe, clearly a rip-off of Prairie Home Companion (started in 1976 by Garrison Keillor on PBR). The Canadian content spin is nice, but he plain and simple stole this whole schtick.

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Jonathan

7/3/2016 11:28:53 am

I'm Canadian and I just have to say I'm actually a embarrassed by Stuart McLeans rendition of The Vinyl Cafe, clearly a rip-off of Prairie Home Companion (started in 1976 by Garrison Keillor on PBR). The Canadian content spin is nice, but he plain and simple stole this whole school tick.